Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 30, 2016
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 9 1576 4702
Osprey 1 40 40
Bald Eagle 1 7 30
Northern Harrier 0 42 73
Sharp-shinned Hawk 26 671 821
Cooper's Hawk 0 61 110
Northern Goshawk 0 2 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 10 273
Broad-winged Hawk 71 1651 1651
Red-tailed Hawk 9 368 1228
Rough-legged Hawk 0 5 25
Golden Eagle 0 1 1
American Kestrel 2 31 50
Merlin 2 14 20
Peregrine Falcon 0 2 3
Unknown Accipiter 0 5 8
Unknown Buteo 0 3 8
Unknown Falcon 0 0 2
Unknown Eagle 0 1 1
Unknown Raptor 0 10 17
Total: 122 4500 9065
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Phil Waggett
Observers: Bill Rapley, Bruce Campbell, Claude King, J & B Farnham,
John Hogeveen, Ron Depagter
Visitors:
Bruce & Laurie Mackenzie, Bill Rapley, Claude King, Blayne and Jean
Farnham, John Roynon, John Hogeveen, Ron Depagter, and Bruce Campbell--all
helped spot birds.
Weather:
A mix of sun and cloud with several period of overcast;
winds light north-north-east occasionally shifting to easterly.
Temperatures felt cooler than the 11 degrees Celsius.
Raptor Observations:
A disappointing flight (especially considering the BW's were moving in
numbers in New York). The highlight was a late red-shoulder that was
transitioning to adult plumage.
The bald eagle was a late 3 year-old bird beginning to move into 4th year
plumage. Once again, the local coop, TV's and red-tails were active.
Non-raptor Observations:
Many swallows (northern rough-wing, tree, barn, and purple martin) were
evident, particularly in the early afternoon. Several chimney swifts were
also seen. Two male purple finches visited near the feeders early in the
day.
Predictions:
Probably not much migratory activity due to forecast rain.
That said, the broad=wing counts at Hamburg & Braddock`s Bay today indicate
that there are still many birds in the pipeline.
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Report submitted by Phil Waggett ()
Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area information may be found at:
http://www.niagarapeninsulahawkwatch.org/
Site Description:
Hawk migration monitoring at the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area in
Grimsby, Ontario is conducted by the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch (NPH). All
counting is done by volunteers. Not all members are counters nor does a
counter have to be a member. Typically one person is the designated counter
for each day but other observers present assist with the spotting and
identification. Counting is done from a steel observation tower with a
wooden floor. For wind protection on cold days, particularly in March, a
black plastic wind guard is installed around the tower's platform. This
platform easily accommodates ten people but on most busy days, no more than
five or six observers would be on it.
The site lies within a publicly accessible property owned by the Niagara
Peninsula Conservation Authority. There is no charge for admittance. The
tower stands in the centre of a mowed area with a gravel ring road near the
outer edge. This provides lots of room to park vehicles (along the road)
and set up lawn chairs, telescopes and cameras. Toilet facilities are
present. During the counting season, the NPH erect a counting board to
display seven day's worth of observation data for the public. The box
enclosing the sign contains brochures and silhouette sheets for the public
as well as bulletin boards with news and historical sighting records.
Directions to site:
To get to Beamer CA, take the QEW to Exit 71/72, follow Christie
St./Mountain St. to the top of the escarpment, turn right on Ridge Road
West, and go 1.6km to Quarry Rd. Turn right on Quarry Rd. and drive 100m to
the conservation area. Parking is normally available inside the park. If
parking at the entrance or on the roads, do NOT leave valuables in your
car.
Please note: Data in this report is not official until reviewed and finalized
after the end of the season. © 2016 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
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